• bluGill@fedia.io
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    9 days ago

    supply and demand is enough to explain low prices. Last year there was a bumper crop and this year all signs point to record harvests (which are starting and so change is almost imposible).

    tarrifs are not helping, but they have at most a tiny effect, the harvest is the big factor here.

    • socsa@piefed.social
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      9 days ago

      The US government used to buy something like 10% of the entire US wheat harvest for international aid programs. Losing this, combined with a collapse in soy bean exports, are causing prices to fall.

      • bluGill@fedia.io
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        9 days ago

        The article is about corn and soybeans. there is very little overlap with wheat farmers since there is typically a lot more money in corn+soybeans. You grow wheat because your climate cannot grow corn.

        • SwingingTheLamp@midwest.social
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          9 days ago

          The article doesn’t say that trade disputes drove the low prices, but that the trade disputes on top of the low prices is harming farmers. They seem to think it’s a significant factor.